Man wanted after Milpitas officer-involved shooting

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(KGO)

November 27, 2012 1:49:47 PM PST

by Katie Marzullo

MILPITAS, Calif. --

An intense manhunt in the South Bay that began overnight is continuing today. Milpitas police are looking for a man who initiated a gun battle with officers. It happened near the intersection of Jacklin Road and Escuela Parkway.

The intersection reopened around 7:30 a.m., just in time for traffic to get back to normal before the start of the school day -- there are three schools on Escuela Parkway. But a dangerous man is still out there and armed with a gun.

A Milpitas police officer pulled over a car near Jacklin Road and Escuela Parkway just before two this morning and within seconds, bullets were flying.

"The driver of the suspect vehicle exited and immediately opened fire on our officer. Our officer was able to return fire," said Milpitas Police Sgt. Kevin Corvin.

The office was not shot, but did suffer a minor injury. As for the gunman:

"It's unknown if the suspect was struck. The suspect fled in his vehicle," said Corvin.

Milpitas police are confidant the man left the area, but they won't say why. The area that includes a high school, a middle school and an elementary school. The principal of Thomas Russell Middle School said she got a call from police just after 6 a.m. -- a sergeant told her there'd been an officer involved shooting.

"So I quickly got to school this morning and made phones calls to all of my parents that it was safe, per the Milpitas police direction, it was safe for children to come to school and please send your children to school," said Thomas Russell Middle School Principal Laura Foegal.

A parent who was dropping off her son said she was surprised something so violent had happened so close to the school, but it wasn't the first time.

"It's scary to think about leaving, dropping off your child and knowing there's somebody out. Especially with what happened at 7-Eleven not too long ago," said Lori Garmany, who is mother of a 13-year-old student.

On September 8, three people robbed the 7-Eleven on North Milpitas Boulevard and shot and killed the clerk. Those suspects are still on the loose. As is the shooter in this case who's now wanted for the attempted murder of a police officer.

"One thing we want to definitely put out to the public is that we need the public's help, if anyone saw anything or heard anything," said Corvin.

Police have not yet released a description of the suspect or his car. Anyone with more information on the case is asked to call Milpitas police at (408) 586-2400. Tips can be given anonymously by calling (408) 586-2800 or visiting the Police Department's website at www.ci.milpitas.ca.gov/government/police/crime-tip.asp